Flame-Retarding and Mechanically Resilient Elastomer Composites. This project will develop a new generation of flame-retarding and mechanically resilient elastomer composites by taking advantage of nanoscale effect and synergy. The outcomes will be two types of flame-retarding additive pellets and their elastomer composites; these pellets also suit other polymers such as thermoplastics. The elastomer composites are expected to have excellent flame retardancy, mechanical properties, and fatigue p ....Flame-Retarding and Mechanically Resilient Elastomer Composites. This project will develop a new generation of flame-retarding and mechanically resilient elastomer composites by taking advantage of nanoscale effect and synergy. The outcomes will be two types of flame-retarding additive pellets and their elastomer composites; these pellets also suit other polymers such as thermoplastics. The elastomer composites are expected to have excellent flame retardancy, mechanical properties, and fatigue performance, to meet the demands from industrial partners. The project will provide a platform for elastomer manufacturing industry to develop flame-retarding, high-performance products for domestic applications and for export. Read moreRead less
In-situ grain boundary engineering via metal additive manufacturing. We aim to develop a capability for targeted specialty alloy microstructure design via metal 3D printing. Our approach to generate customised grain boundary networks in stainless steels and superalloys will unlock superior mechanical, corrosion and technological properties, without subsequent thermomechanical treatments. Scientific outcomes are new physical metallurgy knowledge on the targeted selection of desirable interfaces v ....In-situ grain boundary engineering via metal additive manufacturing. We aim to develop a capability for targeted specialty alloy microstructure design via metal 3D printing. Our approach to generate customised grain boundary networks in stainless steels and superalloys will unlock superior mechanical, corrosion and technological properties, without subsequent thermomechanical treatments. Scientific outcomes are new physical metallurgy knowledge on the targeted selection of desirable interfaces via recrystallisation and coupled segregation-precipitation phenomena. Technological outcomes are processing maps for printing parts with customised microstructures. This will diminish anisotropy, residual stress and defects, benefitting defence, aerospace and energy applications, all vital to the Australian economy.Read moreRead less
Nano-toughening of Conductive Composites with High Electrical Ductility. This project aims to develop a new technology to effectively toughen conductive thin films including metals and conductive polymers with significantly improved mechanical robustness for next-generation stretchable electronics. This new technique will tackle the major limitation of stretchable electronics propensity to abrupt electrical failure caused by plastic deformation and long channel cracks in conductive thin films of ....Nano-toughening of Conductive Composites with High Electrical Ductility. This project aims to develop a new technology to effectively toughen conductive thin films including metals and conductive polymers with significantly improved mechanical robustness for next-generation stretchable electronics. This new technique will tackle the major limitation of stretchable electronics propensity to abrupt electrical failure caused by plastic deformation and long channel cracks in conductive thin films of low yield strain and ductility. By overcoming the bottleneck issue of low stretchability and ductility of existing conductive thin film materials, it will be possible to significantly expand the design space of flexible and stretchable electronic devices.Read moreRead less
Smart foliage: imparting intelligence to synthetic leaves. This project aims to develop an innovative “lab-on-a-leaf” platform technology based on smart membranes with switchable pores to enable hitherto unachievable control of gas and vapour transfer. The innovated membrane based technology can be used as a versatile platform for many important applications, such as desalination and carbon capture. This project expects to advance the knowledge in biomimetic design of synthetic leaves, and bring ....Smart foliage: imparting intelligence to synthetic leaves. This project aims to develop an innovative “lab-on-a-leaf” platform technology based on smart membranes with switchable pores to enable hitherto unachievable control of gas and vapour transfer. The innovated membrane based technology can be used as a versatile platform for many important applications, such as desalination and carbon capture. This project expects to advance the knowledge in biomimetic design of synthetic leaves, and bring new membrane technologies to applications, such as desalination, solar energy harvesting, and evaporative cooling. This project should provide significant benefits for Australian manufacturing industry by addressing energy and environmental concerns and boosting national economic growth.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100917
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$457,647.00
Summary
Manufacturing Nanostructured Metallic Materials via 3D Printed Polymers. This project aims to develop additive manufacturing processes capable of rapidly producing nanostructured polymer and metallic materials with tuneable physical and chemical properties. This project expects to develop new knowledge and chemical processes, allowing the rational design of functional materials with applications in catalysis, energy storage, and chemical separations. Expected outcomes include more energy efficie ....Manufacturing Nanostructured Metallic Materials via 3D Printed Polymers. This project aims to develop additive manufacturing processes capable of rapidly producing nanostructured polymer and metallic materials with tuneable physical and chemical properties. This project expects to develop new knowledge and chemical processes, allowing the rational design of functional materials with applications in catalysis, energy storage, and chemical separations. Expected outcomes include more energy efficient and environmentally benign methods for functional materials synthesis, and increased understanding of structure-property-performance relationships in nanostructured materials. This should provide benefits to Australia by providing cost-effective routes for materials used in energy, health, and water.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230101344
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$437,854.00
Summary
Hierarchical Ta-Ti lattice materials by 3D printing and nanofabrication . This project aims to develop a novel approach to the manufacture of hierarchical Ta-Ti lattice materials with a fine nanoporous Ta surface through capitalizing on the advantages of metal 3D printing and a unique post nanofabrication process. This project expects to generate new fundamental knowledge in the design and manufacture of hierarchical metal lattice materials. Expected outcomes include a new advanced manufacturing ....Hierarchical Ta-Ti lattice materials by 3D printing and nanofabrication . This project aims to develop a novel approach to the manufacture of hierarchical Ta-Ti lattice materials with a fine nanoporous Ta surface through capitalizing on the advantages of metal 3D printing and a unique post nanofabrication process. This project expects to generate new fundamental knowledge in the design and manufacture of hierarchical metal lattice materials. Expected outcomes include a new advanced manufacturing method and a new class of highly biocompatible hierarchical Ta-Ti lattice materials. The former should benefit the Australian Manufacturing Industry for the manufacture of a variety of novel metal lattice materials or products while the latter has the potential for applications as implant materials.Read moreRead less
Next generation titanium alloys for additive manufacturing. The rise of 3D printing creates unique opportunities for Australian manufacturers to participate in high value global supply chains. However, the lack of development in high quality printable materials is stopping manufacturers from accessing the full potential of 3D printing. This project aims to develop a design strategy for the next generation of titanium metals designed for 3D printing. This project expects to improve functionality ....Next generation titanium alloys for additive manufacturing. The rise of 3D printing creates unique opportunities for Australian manufacturers to participate in high value global supply chains. However, the lack of development in high quality printable materials is stopping manufacturers from accessing the full potential of 3D printing. This project aims to develop a design strategy for the next generation of titanium metals designed for 3D printing. This project expects to improve functionality of 3D printed metals with qualities that go beyond the most demanding industry acceptance criteria. This project should provide significant benefits by creating new capabilities and improving the productivity of Australian manufacturers while lowering the cost of products for consumers.Read moreRead less
Liquid metal solvents for high entropy and atomically configured systems. Significant challenges remain in developing high entropy alloys, which are future disruptors in metallurgy, ranging from configurational entropy to atomic ordering. To address such challenges, we will explore liquid metal solvents for synthesising high entropy and atomically configured systems from the combination of reactive and high melting point elements stabilised in metallic solvents. Molecular imprinting, mechanical ....Liquid metal solvents for high entropy and atomically configured systems. Significant challenges remain in developing high entropy alloys, which are future disruptors in metallurgy, ranging from configurational entropy to atomic ordering. To address such challenges, we will explore liquid metal solvents for synthesising high entropy and atomically configured systems from the combination of reactive and high melting point elements stabilised in metallic solvents. Molecular imprinting, mechanical and electrochemical triggers will control interfacial atomic organisation and precipitation. The growth mechanisms, both at the interface and in the bulk, will be explored by high energy probing techniques and computational simulations. We will offer new metallurgical paradigms for future catalysis and sensing concepts.Read moreRead less
Early Career Industry Fellowships - Grant ID: IE230100476
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$465,237.00
Summary
Development of rapid-response thermal batteries for the global market. In collaboration with Isothermix, this project aims to develop and commercialize cost-effective, rapid-response thermal batteries to meet the air conditioning peak demand of buildings. This project expects to generate new knowledge about the phase change materials which can be used to store thermal energy across a range of temperatures and the highly thermal conductive materials which can be used as a heat exchanger. Expected ....Development of rapid-response thermal batteries for the global market. In collaboration with Isothermix, this project aims to develop and commercialize cost-effective, rapid-response thermal batteries to meet the air conditioning peak demand of buildings. This project expects to generate new knowledge about the phase change materials which can be used to store thermal energy across a range of temperatures and the highly thermal conductive materials which can be used as a heat exchanger. Expected outcomes include the development of rapid response thermal batteries which can cool buildings across a range of temperatures and site conditions. This should provide significant benefits by reducing primary heating and cooling plant capacity and thereby our reliance on fossil fuels.Read moreRead less
Tandem Photocatalytic Conversion of CO2 to High Value Hydrocarbon Products. Converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into hydrocarbon products is ideal for combating anthropogenic emissions whilst reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. Despite the significant advantages, CO2 valorisation is hindered by barriers such as high energy requirements and low-value products (methane and carbon monoxide). This project will establish a sustainable approach to CO2 valorisation using a unique tandem solar-driven hie ....Tandem Photocatalytic Conversion of CO2 to High Value Hydrocarbon Products. Converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into hydrocarbon products is ideal for combating anthropogenic emissions whilst reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. Despite the significant advantages, CO2 valorisation is hindered by barriers such as high energy requirements and low-value products (methane and carbon monoxide). This project will establish a sustainable approach to CO2 valorisation using a unique tandem solar-driven hierarchical catalyst array to offset energy requirements and directly yield high-value hydrocarbon products, such as ethane (C2H6) and ethanol (CH3CH2OH), from captured CO2.Read moreRead less